Barcelona offered Chelsea star as Depay replacement

Suraj Radia

• 21 Jan 2023 16:55 GMT
• 2 min read

Barcelona are considering replacements for Memphis Depay after the Dutchman joined Atletico Madrid and they have been offered the chance to move for a Premier League forward this month.

The Catalan side opted to cash in on Depay for €3 million as he had six months left on his contract and had made just two La Liga appearances this season.

Barca also have the option to sign Yannick Carrasco from Atletico this summer as part of the deal, a move which they are believed to already have assured the player that they will make.

OFFICIAL: Atletico sign Depay from Barca

However, the club are now somewhat short in numbers in attack and have considered cost-effective options to strengthen this winter, with Hakim Ziyech reportedly keen to make the move.

Spanish outlet SPORT claims that the Chelsea forward wants to move to Barca because he is aware that his minutes at Stamford Bridge could be limited after the English club signed three forwards this month.

Although there is no indication that Barca are set to move for Ziyech, the La Liga side have been interested in the Moroccan on two previous occasions and the player’s desire to join could mean he takes a pay cut to push a transfer through.

How Barca and Chelsea could help each other this month

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has insisted that Ziyech still has a future at the club and the 29-year-old started the club’s last two games, including assisting the winner for their game against Crystal Palace.

However, with Chelsea bringing in younger forwards and Ziyech inconsistent with his output, the club may still opt to move him on in order to shrink their squad size.

OUTGOINGS: Five players who could leave Chelsea this month

Chelsea have signed Joao Felix on loan this month as well as bringing in David Datro Fofana from Molde, Benoit Badiashile of Monaco and pulling off a blockbuster €100m deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk.

The club are also looking to bring in a midfielder and Barca could solve two of their issues at once by utilising a swap deal for Ziyech in exchange for Franck Kessie, who is reportedly heading for an exit despite only joining the club six months ago.

While Chelsea and Barca had their differences during the summer, they also conducted transfers with each other such as that of Marcos Alonso and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, meaning a move for Ziyech could be possible as the window goes on.